Bucs Still Playing For Pride, Winning Season The Tampa Tribune, published 1 December 2003 The only P-word the Bucs are concerned about now is pride. As they trudged off the field at Alltel Stadium on Sunday night, the defending NFL champions realized that 17-10 loss to the Jaguars likely represented their last stand. In falling to 5-7, the Bucs once again failed to generate back-to-back wins heading into what promises to be a forgettable December. ``All we can do at this point is find strength with each other and finish the year like a champion,'' said middle linebacker Derrick Brooks, who tied Shelton Quarles with a game-high 10 tackles. ``We haven't had a losing season around here for a long time and we still have a chance to finish 9-7. That's playing for pride.'' Although the Bucs haven't been mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, they would need a miracle finish to stretch their playoff streak to five seasons. ``We knew what we were playing for - and we didn't get it done,'' veteran strong safety John Lynch said. ``I thought with the week of preparation we had and the focus we came in with, we would respond better. They outplayed us tonight.'' The Jaguars (3-9) inexplicably exhibited more passion than a club on the brink. Tampa Bay fell to 1-14 since 1999 when allowing a 100-yard rusher as Fred Taylor churned for 118 yards in 29 bruising carries. The Bucs punted on four of five second-half possessions before failing on a fourth-and-four from the Jacksonville 49 when Brad Johnson's pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage for the second consecutive snap. ``That's a very difficult defense to move the ball 80 yards against and we proved that tonight,'' Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. ``Given the field position we had, we thought going for it on fourth down gave us our best opportunity.'' The Jags outgained Tampa Bay 208-69 in the opening half and the Bucs offense never got untracked, converting only two of 12 third-down situations. ``We've got to keep our heads in it and close this out right,'' tackle Kenyatta Walker said. ``That was a 2-9 team out there fighting real hard. The real character of our football team will come out right now. I know I've never been in a position like this, but we've got enough leaders on this team. Overall, I guess you could say I'm in shock.'' The game-winning score came on a 48-yard pass from rookie Byron Leftwich to veteran wide receiver Jimmy Smith, who burned the Bucs for 10 receptions. ``They made the big plays down the stretch and we didn't,'' Bucs defensive tackle Anthony McFarland said. ``They won it with that big throw and catch.'' The Bucs committed seven penalties for 80 yards, a typically sloppy effort for a team still facing difficult road tests at New Orleans and Tennessee. ``We didn't play well enough to win, what else can you say?'' said Tampa Bay center John Wade, signed this spring after five years with the Jaguars. ``Either you do, or you don't ... and we didn't. Give them some credit. Just because you're 2-9 doesn't mean you're a bad team. As for me, I'm just frustrated. That's the most common word in this locker room. When I came to Tampa and saw the way this team works in minicamp and training camp, with everyone getting after it, it's real surprising that we haven't gotten it done this year.''